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Last night a large and knowlegable crowd watched two enthralling cup finals. First up Norton Canes played Excel Academy in the Under 13 final. This game showcased all that is good in schools football with two talented sides playing excellent football in front of an appreciative crowd who applauded both sides regularly for their efforts.
Norton Canes led by a single goal at half time and defended superbly against a skillful Excel side for a large part of the second half but the equaliser arrived 7 minutes from time. As the game moved towards extra time a sublime finish from twenty yards into the top corner of the Norton Canes net won the game for Excel. A stunning strike to end a belter of a game. It was wonderful to see both teams warmly applauded at the final whistle and both teams, staff and parents deserve a great deal of credit for providing a fantastic showcase of Staffordshire Schools Football.
The second game was also a thriller with Painsley meeting local rivals Thomas Alleynes. Painsley dominated the first half and deservedly led by 1-0 at half time. The second half was a different story with Alleynes now the dominant force and only some desperate defending and outstanding goalkeeping keeping Alleynes at bay. As the game moved into injury time Alleynes spurned a great chance to equalise and it looked as their day was to end poorly but a driven shot from the edge of the box in injury time gave them a deserved equaliser.
The drama of penalties decided the outcome with Painsley winning by 4-3. Always a cruel way to end a game but both teams deserve credit for the way that they played the game.
As the season moves towards its conclusion the weeks ahead become really busy and the week ahead is no different.
Tonight, Monday the 18th of March, the Under 15 boys travel to Rugby to meet champions elect Warwickshire and are the only unbeaten side in the league. The Staffordshire boys are the only team who have scored more than one against their opponents and a talented side will be looking to lower the Warwickshire colours.
At Stafford Town FC this evening the first of the Individual Schools Cup Finals are being played. In the Under 13 final Excel Academy from Stoke on Trent meet Norton Canes from Cannock KO 6-00pm. A local derby follows in the U16 final where Thomas Alleyne's from Uttoxeter take on Painsley from Cheadle KO 7-30pm. Admission to the games are £2 adults and £1 concessions.
The Under 18 game due to be played tomorrow against West Midlands has been postponed due to a double booking of the pitch at Boldmere and a new date is being sought. However the Under 16 boys travel to Herefordshire hoping to round off their season with a victory. Too many drawn games has been their downfall but they have had a really good season and it is hoped that the boys staying in education will be in next seasons Under 18 squad.
On Friday the four Staffordshire boys who are in the England squad will be playing Scotland at Inverurie Locos, near Aberdeen, and they have the best wishes of Staffordshire Schools.
On Thursday evening there is an important meeting of the MCF to decide on the best way forward for representative football for girls. The FA and the ESFA are so rigid in their stance that this season may well be the last for the MCF competition. More on this later.
The tone of the two reports tells its own story. The future of girls representative football is in the balance after this weeks debacle.
Reports from managers Kieran Newey and Neil Davies.
Staffordshire Schools u16s Girls went into their home game knowing they would need a positive result to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Midland counties semi final however they were up against it from the very start when a lack of commitment and unavailability saw no fewer than 10 players pull out, however the most concerning thing was the volume of players who pulled out within the last 24 hours before the game meaning it was impossible to find replacements.
However nothing should detract from the 10 players who continue to feel proud to represent their county, they put in an unbelievable effort against a very good West Midlands team creating a number of chances playing some excellent football. Millie Clarke had the first effort for Staffs but she was unable to find a goal, Staffs midfield was excellently marshalled by the returning Ella Spears with support from Lauren Riley and Isabella Galley. Staffs back three of Katy Moran , Issy and Lilly Anderson, produced a Number of fantastic challenges to frustrate the West Midlands forwards and it was symptomatic of this season that it was a Staffs break which would lead to the opening goal, West Mids hit a long ball forward which caught out Staffs and Chloe Swindell was pipped to the ball as she came to clear and Marion Mahmood rounded her to tap in to an empty net.
Staffs continued to play good football and Jess Travers pace was causing all sorts of problems with Macy Isherwood and Millie Clarke both linking the play up nicely. West Mids quality in the final 3rd meant the game was a real end to end affair and they added 2 further goals in quick succession. Staffs grabbed a deserved goal after an excellent free kick from Ella Spears found Lauren Riley who’s brilliant effort cannonned off the bar and Staffs managed to turn home the rebound.
The 2nd half saw Staffs offering more attacking threat with Macy Isherwood and Lauren Riley heavily involved but a mistake from a Staffs throw in saw West Mids grab the 4th goal . Staffs continued to play some neat controlled football and the West Midlands keeper was kept really busy with Macy, Jess and Ella all having good opportunities.
The work rate and application from the Staffs girls was extremely pleasing and despite adding a 5th goal they left having again shown outstanding character and commitment and the only disappointment was due to others who failed to show up.
Schools football has been a major factor in so many players lives over the years with many going on to gain regional and national recognition producing some unbelievable games with real drama and quality which would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of a small band of hard working volunteers, however this season has been unprecedented by a lack of commitment from an increasing number of players.
The final game of the season sees us travel to Lilleshall to face Shropshire on Wednesday 3rd April and would be nice to end the season on a high as reward for all those players who continue to make themselves available.
Shropshire U14 Boys 1 Staffordshire U14 Boys 3
Despite terrible weather conditions Staffs chalked up another impressive win to continue their push to finish top of the Midlands West Inter County League.
This was a much tougher game than the reverse fixture against a much changed and improved Shropshire side. The focus pre game was to match the early intensity and pressing that blew Shropshire away in the home fixture and the Staffs boys didn’t disappoint, taking just 47 seconds to score through Kyle Corns after some neat interplay. The second goal took longer but was worth the wait as Captain Sol Ashworth spotted the Shropshire keeper off his line and found the net from 30 yards with a delightful chip. To their credit Shropshire didn’t give up and on the balance of play deservedly got a goal back following a good move down their left flank. With the next goal crucial the Staffs boys pushed and got their reward close to half time when Todd Alcock volleyed in following a long throw from Sol Ashworth.
The second half was end to end. Credit to both teams as the conditions continued to worsen. Staffs had to play against an increasingly strong wind and were pushed back as a result, however whenever they managed to get forward they looked threatening. Dako Vuczic rattled the crossbar with a cross-shot and at the other end Keeper George Taylor pulled off a tremendous save late in the game.
The victory was a testimony to the superb attitude of this talented Staffs team who now look forward to the next game at home to Warwickshire
On
Monday next week the Under 16 Girls entertain West Midlands in what could prove to be a crucial game. Manager Kieran Newey names the same squad as that which played Shropshire.
Chloe Swindell
Niamh Harding
Issy Anderson
Lilly Anderson
Abbie Adams
Lucy Copeland
Milly Clarke
Maggie Croxhall
Isabella Galley
Jenny Higgs
Lydia Hudson
Macy Isherwood
Lily Jackson
Katie Johnson
Brogan Pugh
Lauren Riley
Jessica Travers
Players are asked to report to Stafford Town for as near to six as possible. The usual dress code applies and there will be an admission charge of £3adults and £2 concessions.
On Tueday 12th of March the Under 14 Boys meet neighbours Shropshire at Lilleshaa National Sports Centre with a 7-00pm KO. Players should meet at the Pavilion and usual dress code applies. The squad need to win the game to keep the pressure on West Midlands in the title race. Manager Neil Davies names the squad below:
George Lenton
George Taylor
Mason Pickering
Dako Vujcic
Lewis Hassall
Jensen Peake
Eammon Clowes
Euan Wade
Sol Ashworth
Todd Alcock
Matt Cutler
Rafferty Winnall
Alfie Clarke
Kyle Corns
Will Finlay
Josh Onions
STANDBY LIST
Archie England
Jake Morgan
Woody Ford
The U18 Boys are in action against Shropshire SFA at Stafford Town FC on Monday evening KO 7-00pm. Manager Mark Culverhouse has named the same squad as the previous game . Players should report to the ground as near to six as possible and the usual dress code applies. Admission will be £3 adults and £2 concessions. A win will almost certailly guarntee them the MCF title.
The Under 14 girls take centre stage on Tuesday night when they travel to Boldmere ST Michaels to take on their West Midlands counterparts. Players should report to manager Dan Hallam as near to six as possible.
He has named the squad below for the game;
1. Emily Turner - Friary
2. Georgia Dawson - Endon
3. Eva Clarke - Thistley Hough
4. Phoebe Nicholls - Cheslyn Hay
5. Ruby Evans - EDA
6. Lucy Knowles - Endon
7. Phoebe Hill - Cheslyn Hay
8. Freya Green - Great Wyrley Academy
9. Tilly Bridgett - Clayton
10. Polly Barrow - Sir Graham Balfour
11. Erin Wellington - Biddulph High School
14. Daisy Wynne - Landau Forte Amington
15. Evie Quinn - Rawlett
16. Lottie MacMurray - EDA
17. Megan Lockett - EDA
18. Holly Thompson - EDA
This week has seen three teams in action with varying degrees of success but all three games had one thing in common, excellent football.
The Under 16 girls kicked off proceedings on Monday night with a 4-0 win over neighbours Shropshire. Team manager Kieran Newey's report follows the round up. The Under 15 boys were in action on Tuesday night and despite missing several key players contributed massively to a fantastic game going down by 6-3. The turning point in the game was when a penalty brilliantly saved by the Staffordshire keeper was ordered to be retaken with the retake scored when the scores were tied.
The Under 16 Boys travelled to Thomas Telford School for their game and started brillianly scoring three times in the first twenty minutes. They were denied a fourth goal with a marginal offside call. Shropshire turned the game on its head by scoring three in the second half to take a point but had Staffordshire been more clinical in front of goal they could have won the game comfortably.
Staffordshire Schools u16 Girls entertained Shropshire for the first time this season and were in blistering form in the opening 20 minutes with Captain Katie driving them forward again and again. h#However despite their dominance they were unable to find the opening goal despite a number of fantastic opportunities which saw them hit both posts and also the cross bar. Shropshire were battling hard and deserve a lot of credit for their resilience which saw them start to cause a few problems for Issy and Lilly who were marshalled superbly by birthday girl Lucy who was again faultless . The opening goal finally arrived shortly before the half hour mark when an excellent turn from Macy saw her pick out Lauren, who’s excellent first touch took her past 2 defenders and she finished confidently. Staffs midfield was posing all sorts of problems with Brogan, Isabella, KJ , Jess and debutant Maggie enjoying plenty of possession but for once the captains shooting was not as she would have liked.
Chloe was a commanding figure in goal and her excellent distribution was key to Staffs game plan . The second half saw Shropshire come out fighting and Staffs had to weather the storm before some great work from Chloe saw a neat combination down the left involving Macy and Brogan, who found Milly to add a second goal. Staffordshire could now relax and they saw out the game with two further goals from the hard working Macy and Jess to seal a comfortable win . Credit to Shropshire who never stopped battling and we look forward to entertaining West Midlands on 11th March at Stafford Town . Another excellent advert for schools football from the u16 Girls whose commitment and desire is a credit to all
The Under 16 Girls entertain Shropshire on Monday 25th of September at Stafford Town FC with a 7-00pm KO Players should report for 6-00pm and usual dress code applies. Manager Kieran Newey has named the squad below;
Chloe Swindell
Niamh Harding
Issy Anderson
Lilly Anderson
Abbie Adams
Lucy Copeland
Milly Clarke
Maggie Croxhall
Isabella Galley
Jenny Higgs
Lydia Hudson
Macy Isherwood
Lily Jackson
Katie Johnson
Brogan Pugh
Lauren Riley
Jessica Travers
There will be an admission charge of £3 adults and £2 concessions.
The Under 18 Boys
1 Joe Trevor Newcastle College
2 Jack Taylor JCB
3 Carter Lycett SCL
4 Connor Taylor Stoke VI College
5 Alex Minshull Newcastle College
6 Jack Finney Stoke VI College
7 Oliver Putnam Newcastle College
8 Ethan Cartwright Newcastle College
9 Declan Arber Codsall
10 Lewis Salmon Newcastle College
11 Christian Blanchette Codsall
12 Tom Harley Codsall
14 Max Cuthbert Alleyne’s Academy
15 Sam Jarvis Walton HS
16 Kyle Ashman SCL
17 Owen Turner SCL
19 Jacob Holding Newcastle College
travel to Boldmere St Michaels FC on Tuesday 22nd of January to meet West Midlands SFA in an MCF fixture, The game kicks off at 7-30 and players should meet as near to 6-15 as possible. Usual dress code applies.
Boldmere St. Michael's Football Club
The Under 14 boys travelled to play West Midlands in an MCF fixture on Tuesday and lost what was a superb game of football by 4-1. The Staffordshire boys more than matched their counterrparts for football but could not match their opponents physicality.Two very good footballing sides produced a very entertaining game and although Staffordshire led through a Sol Ashworth goal two quick goals from West Midlands just before the break gave them an advantage that they did not relinquish. An excellent performance from what is proving to be an extremely talented group.
The U18 boys were due to play Worcestershire on Monday 7th at Stafford Town but the opposition pulled out of the game as they could not raise a side even though they have a squad of 23. They did the same thing to West Midlands and it is so disappointing for the boys to miss out on a game and the financial hit Staffordshire take canot be recouped.
On Saturday four Staffordshire boys will be playing for England against the RAF prior to meeting Austaralia on Saturday the 26th of January. Carter Lycett, Conor Taylor, Declan Arber and Ethan Cartwrifgt go with the best wishes of the Association
England U18 Schoolboys will play Australia at Stafford Town FC on Saturday the 26th of January KO 2-00pm. This is a full International and SSFA are grateful to Stafford Town FC and their continued support of schools football. It should be an entertaining game and with lots of local interest a good crowd is expected. Admission will be £5 adults and £3 concessions.
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@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.
Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.